Cuba is one of the few countries in the world with an inclusive and integral program for the care of elderly.

The approach to primary healthcare has enabled Cuba to meet its elderly population’s needs within their communities which allowed them to retain higher levels of dignity, independence and psychological health. Due to such approach, only 0.5% of Cuba’s elderly population are hospitalized and/or institutionalized which is not only positive for the elder individual but is less costly to society as well.

The Cuban medical programs for the elderly focus on primary and secondary and pre-emotive actions which makes a difference in the quality of life for the elderly. The final aim is to promote goals intended to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

The approach:

Through our relationship with La Pradera International Health Center, and our sister company CubaHeal, we have succeeded in producing a program that not only addresses the accommodation and entertainment needs of the resident but also the quality of health and life by turning such stay in to a long-term productive retirement vacation in one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands. 

The center prides itself in its holistic approach to therapies of the body, mind and spirit. Its mission is to provide specialized medical care offered by specialists with high ethical, humanistic values, in addition to vast multi disciplinary medical experience, all in a natural, attractive and revitalizing environment. 

The Cuban MEDICAL RETIREMENT LIVING program is intended for residents who require continuous living care and assistance in daily living activities. The program entails the initials need assessment (7 days) followed by a tailored care program. The tailored care program is considered to be one of the globe’s most extensive in terms of safety, around the clock medical and urgent care, hygiene and personal care, rehabilitation and entertainment. 

The Medical retirement living program encompasses the following two phases:

• Initial Needs assessment (7 days)
• Tailored Care Program (continuous): Would be based on the conclusion of the above assessment

The program:

MEDICAL: 

• INITIAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT (7 DAYS) 
• MEDICAL RETIREMENT LIVING (MEN) TAILORED CARE PROGRAM 

INITIAL ASSESSMENT: 

The details of said approach are found below: 

INITIAL NEED ASSESSMENT (7 days): In this phase, the presence of a companion is a must. The initial need assessment will include the following: 

INITIAL PHYSICAL EVALUATION: 

• Consultation with Internal Medicine Specialist 
• Re-consultation with Internal Medicine Specialist 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• The above program does not include medications for certain conditions such as
  depression, blood coagulation, etc. 
•  Medicament, fluids, blood and derivatives to be used, as well as additional procedure(s)
  performed not included in the exact treatment would be invoiced
  separately on upon the conclusion of said treatment / procedure(s)
  
•  To eliminate the need of carrying further laboratory testing and imaging, which could translate to additional costs, it is highly recommended that visitors brings all of their medical records with them, including laboratory tests, pathology reports and imaging.

MEDICAL RETIREMENT LIVING TAILORED CARE PROGRAM:

Based on the above mentioned “Initial Needs Assessment Program”, a tailored care program will be tailored. The Care Program will include the following services: 

Accommodation:

Three daily meals taking into account the resident’s preferences and / or special diets prescribed by physician 

Private room with the following features: 

• Electronic resident bed 
• Equipment for disabled resident 
• Oxygen hookup 
• Fully equipped private bathroom 
• Infirmary and nursing care 
• Colour TV with national and international channels 
• Local and international phone services (extra cost will apply) 
• Safe box 
• Internet service on every floor 
• Laundry services 
  

Safety:

• On location 24/7 Specialized nursing team trained at addressing all medical needs including urgent medical situations. The nursing teams mandate includes addressing medical and personal needs, as well as assistance in daily activities such as feeding (if needs be), medication management, transportation within the compound for the purpose of activities, etc… 
• The center is a gated compound with trained support staff on the ground 24/7 

Medical care: 

• Around the clock physicians with internal medicine specialty for the care, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in the elderly, including prescribing applicable medicine 
• Regular internal medicine checkups 
• Medication Management 
• On site, fully equipped emergency room for immediate events. Upon the medical situation control, and if the need arises, the patient could be transferred to a more specialized hospital for additional specialized care.
• Specialized nursing team trained at addressing all medical needs including urgent situations 

Hygiene and personal care:

• Daily supply of clean towels and clean bed linen 
• Rooms, floors, bathrooms, dining room, hallways, contact places etc are cleaned daily

Nutritional diet (included in the program):

Nutritionist tailored and balanced diet programs which will take into consideration the following: 

• Diabetes sensitive diets
• Calories reduced diets
• Salt reduced diets
• Puree diet
• Minced food diet
• Soft food diet
• Juice, milk, soup and dessert are offered with every meal
• Religious adhering diets (could be accommodated at an additional cost)

Additional services (included in the program)

• Treatment with natural and traditional eastern medicine to make diagnostics based, which promotes the strengthening energetic circulations of the body. In addition, as part of the medical protocol, the visitor would be receiving moxibustion heat therapy, which is proven to be effective in increasing the immune levels with the use of and 
• Relaxing body massages (30 minutes sessions). 
• Outdoor Taishi exercises which promote mind and body strengthening and increase vital energy, emotional factors and breathing.
• Group therapeutic gymnastics 
• Other gym exercises 
• Podiatry care including foot massage, nail care, and management and treatment of possible conditions associated with nail diseases.

WELL-BEING, CULTURAL, ENTERTAINMENT AND RELIGION SERVICES:

• 2-days a week Spanish language classes.
• Outdoor entertainment programs which will entail trips to any of the following:
  -Restaurants à la carte (bi-weekly)
  -Various historical, art museums visits (bi-weekly)
  -Cultural, art and/ or musical shows (monthly)
  -Parks (weekly)
  -Two days trips to Varadero/ Matanzas province, including accommodation in a 4-star resort (including three daily buffets and around the clock open bar) (monthly)
  -One day, trips to Pinar Del Rio province and Viñales Valley (monthly) 
• Nursing staff presence during any of the entertainment programs 
• Television and DVD recorded English programs
• The above services will be coordinated with CubaHeal, our sister company in conjunction with the center. 
• 20 hours internet card per month
• Itinerary

ADDITIONAL SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM:

1. Local airport pickup and drop off;
2. The continuous presence of personal CubaHeal field member in order to attend to the residents’ need. The field member’s role and mandate would include the following:

• Proper adherence by the center to the program and addressing any personal need of the residents
• Facilitate communication between the facility and CubaHeal head office in Canada
• Facilitate communication between the resident and resident’s family, or CubaHeal head office in Canada 
• Translation services outside of the facility 
• Other personal needs 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• The above program does not include medications for certain conditions such as  depression, blood coagulation, etc. 
• Medicament, fluids, blood and derivatives to be used, as well as additional procedure(s) performed not included in the exact treatment would be invoiced separately on upon the conclusion of said treatment / procedure(s) 

TIME ALLOCATED:29 days renewable
Cost: 

• 1^st month (including thorough evaluation and testing): $7,144.00 CAD
• Ongoing (29 days renewable): 3,764.00 CAD